The latest news stories across the state of Oregon from the digital home of the Oregon coastal cities, OregonBeachMagazine.com
Friday, April 21, 2023
Oregon Beach Weather
SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY ISSUED: 2:43 AM APR. 21, 2023 – NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE
...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM PDT THIS AFTERNOON... * WHAT...For the Small Craft Advisory, mixed seas 7 to 9 ft at 9 seconds expected. * WHERE...All waters north of Cape Blanco and south of Florence. * WHEN...Until 5 PM PDT. * IMPACTS...Gusty winds and/or steep seas could capsize or damage smaller vessels. * View the hazard area in detail at https://go.usa.gov/x6hks
$3.5 Million Secured for Restoration Science on the Oregon Coast
Wasson Creek, a 525-acre basin in the South Slough watershed of Coos County, Oregon, is poised to be a globally important classroom for wetland and forest restoration science
South Slough Reserve, Coos Bay, OR – South Slough Reserve announced today they have secured $3.5 million to launch a living laboratory as part of an existing national network of place-based research, education, and training.
The Wasson Creek Restoration Project is a ridgetop-to-estuary restoration effort within the nearly 7,000 acre South Slough Reserve that aims to improve habitat for coho salmon, lamprey, and marbled murrelet. Restoring an entire watershed that already has decades of baseline data provides unique value to the scientific community.
“In envisioning this project, the South Slough Reserve team looked even beyond restoration,” explained Vicki Walker, director of Oregon Department of State Lands. “They challenged themselves to make an impact in the field of restoration science, to lift up the local community, and to honor the cultural resources of the Wasson Creek Watershed.”
Due to the project’s national significance, the majority of funding is coming from the National Estuarine Research Reserves Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Fund. However, additional national, state and tribal partners are providing important funding, including U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Coos Basin Coho Partnership, and Coquille Indian Tribe Community Fund.
“People have been living, working, learning and recreating in this valley since time immemorial,” explains Reserve Stewardship Coordinator Dr. Alice Yeates, “this project initiates the next chapter in the relationship between humans and the Wasson watershed.”
The project will include wetland, stream, and forest restoration as well as enhancing public access. While volunteer efforts and projects assisted by the U.S. Coast Guard are already underway, the official project start date is set for May 2023. Restoration science is a multi-year process, however, the Reserve hopes to complete the living laboratory by May 2026 and learn for many years to come.
Partners for this project include Coos Watershed Association; Confederated Tribes of the Coos, Lower Umpqua, and Siuslaw Indians; Coquille Indian Tribe; Bureau of Land Management; Institute for Applied Ecology; Oregon State University, OSU Extension; Oregon Department of Forestry; Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife; U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service; and U.S. Forest Service.
For more information on this project please visit: www.oregon.gov/dsl/SS. Would you like to get involved? Please contact Dr. Alice Yeates, Reserve Stewardship Coordinator. Email: Alice.Yeates@dsl.oregon.gov. Phone: 541-888-8270 ext. 314.
ABOUT SOUTH SLOUGH RESERVE: South Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve is a protected natural area and center for coastal education, research, stewardship, and training. Located along the Coos Estuary on the south coast of Oregon, South Slough Reserve manages and studies nearly 7,000 acres of wetlands, forests, and riparian areas.
Designated in 1974 as the first unit of the National Estuarine Research Reserve System, South Slough Reserve is a leader in improving understanding of estuaries and coastal watersheds. The Reserve is managed in partnership by the Oregon Department of State Lands and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Scientists Say Underwater Spring Off Oregon Coast Likely Impacts Earthquake Hazards
Warm fluid is shooting “like a firehose” into the Pacific Ocean off the Oregon Coast and researchers believe it’s regulating pressure on the Cascadia Subduction Zone, the offshore fault that has the potential to cause a magnitude-9 earthquake in the Pacific Northwest.
It’s something scientists have likely never discovered before, but researchers from the University of Washington stumbled upon the underwater spring unexpectedly in 2014 while delayed aboard a boat for a different oceanography mission.
The boat of scientists was about 50 miles off the coast of Newport when the ship’s sonar showed unexpected bubbles about three-quarters of a mile beneath the ocean’s surface.
In 2015, investigators researched the source of the bubbles and found an underwater spring shooting chemically distinct water up from the seafloor. They called it Pythias Oasis.
UW believes the underwater spring is sourced from water that’s located 2.5 miles beneath the seafloor at the plate boundary and that it serves to regulate stress on the offshore fault.
“They explored in that direction and what they saw was not just methane bubbles, but water coming out of the seafloor like a firehose. That’s something that I’ve never seen, and to my knowledge has not been observed before,” said Evan Solomon, a UW associate professor of oceanography who co-authored a paper published on the spring .
Throughout their research, Solomon and first author Brendan Philip found the fluid leaving the seafloor is 16 degrees Fahrenheit and warmer than the surrounding seawater. They believe the water comes directly from the Cascadia megathrust in the subduction zone, where temperatures are estimated to be 300 to 500 degrees Fahrenheit.
They said the fluid seeping out of Pythia’s Oasis is unique for the Cascadia Subduction Zone and includes extreme enrichment of boron and lithium and depletion of chloride, potassium, and magnesium.
Soloman said the new seeps aren’t related to geologic activity but instead occur near vertical faults that crosshatch the Cascadia Subduction Zone.
Scientists say losing fluid through these faults is important because it lowers the fluid pressure between the sediment particles, therefore increasing the friction between the oceanic and continental plates – which are the two plates that meet at the Cascadia Subduction Zone.
“The megathrust fault zone is like an air hockey table,” Solomon said. “If the fluid pressure is high, it’s like the air is turned on, meaning there’s less friction and the two plates can slip. If the fluid pressure is lower, the two plates will lock – that’s when stress can build up.”
He also compared the fluid released from the fault zone to leaking lubricant, which is bad news for earthquake hazards. UW said less lubricant means stress can build to create a damaging earthquake.
Solomon said a significant fluid leak off the Central Oregon coast could explain why the northern portion of the Cascadia Subduction Zone, off the Washington coast, is believed to be more strongly locked than the southern section near Oregon. (SOURCE)
Electric All-Terrain Trackchairs to be Available in Manzanita and Seaside
– Providing a new way to get out into nature for people with mobility challenges, David’s Chair Outdoor Mobility Systems and Oregon Parks Forever are collaborating to bring the Oregon Coast the first locations where mobility challenged visitors can pick up and use an electric all-terrain wheelchair.
Starting in early May, chairs will be located at the Manzanita Visitor’s Center (31 Laneda Ave, Manzanita, OR 97130) and at the Seaside Elks (324 Avenue A, Seaside, OR 97138) and can be reserved through davidschair.org.
These chairs will provide a new freedom for a mobility challenged park visitor – to get off the pavement and out into nature.
With increased accessibility to the beach, mobility-impaired visitors will be able to participate in activities never-before possible.
By being able to get on the beach, all the way down to water’s edge, these all-terrain chairs will invite many new people to share the wonders of fresh air, sunshine and sea breezes with family and friends instead of being limited to paved walkways and parking lots.
Anyone with mobility impairment, requiring the assistance of wheelchairs, scooters, walkers, canes or crutches, will be able to use these chairs.
See these chairs in action at: https://youtu.be/Yryz48ijMuc
Over the next couple of years, the partners are working to locate hosts at American Legion, VFW, Elks and Tourism related entities along the Oregon Coast and the I-5 corridor where a chair and trailer can be stored and made available for free use by visitors with mobility challenges. Our goal is to find locations for a total of ten chairs.
We are doing this to provide easier access to these chairs to a wider number of people. Under the current operating model for David’s Chair, anyone wishing to borrow one of their seven current chairs (for free) must bring a trailer hitch-enabled vehicle to Medford or Tigard and pick up a chair and trailer to take where they would like to use it. This severely limits access to other parts of the state. One of the most popular uses for these chairs is to get out on the beach, hence our desire for host locations along the Oregon Coast.
Reservations for free use can be made at: www.davidschair.org
Corporal Joseph “JJ” Johnson Celebration of Life – Saturday, April 22nd
The Celebration of Life will be held for Corporal Joseph “JJ” Johnson on Saturday, April 22, at 11:00 A.M., at the Nyssa High School, 824 Adrian Blvd, Nyssa, Oregon. The public is invited to attend.
Seating in the auditorium is limited; the adjacent high school gymnasium will be open with a livestream feed to accommodate an overflow of up to 5,000 people.
Corporal Joseph Johnson was killed in the line of duty on Saturday, April 15 while volunteering his time serving the community of Nyssa.
An emergency vehicle procession from the John J. Easly Memorial Gymnasium (Ontario) to the Nyssa High School will precede the service at 9:00 A.M. The public is invited to watch the procession but asked to observe from safe spaces. The procession route will travel around Treasure Valley Ball Park, west on SW 18th Ave, and south on Hwy 201 to Nyssa High School.
Prior to the emergency vehicle procession, Park Blvd, SW 14th, and SW 11th in Ontario and Adrian Blvd. in Nyssa will be closed to vehicular traffic.
Public parking will be in front of Nyssa Elementary School and the surrounding neighborhood.Law enforcement parking will be at Nyssa High School, Nyssa Middle School, and across the street from the high school in dirt rodeo grounds lot. Nyssa High School’s main parking lot will only be available to emergency vehicles taking part in the procession.
The family requests their privacy be respected and does not wish to provide statements to the media at this time. The Celebration of Life will be livestreamed. Livestream information will be released Friday evening.
If members of the public wish to donate to support the Johnson family, they may do so through the Oregon Fallen Badge Foundation. Donations may be made in person at any US Bank location or online at bit.ly/support-johnson-family. 100% of donations collected by the Foundation during this time will be given to the Johnson family.
All Media inquired should be sent to OSPPIO@OSP.OREGON.GOV
Governor Tina Kotek Marks 100 Days in Office, Urges Legislature to Invest in Housing, Homelessness, Behavioral Health, Education
—Governor Tina Kotek today marked her 100th day in office by highlighting the progress made – and the investments that are needed this session – to deliver on her top three priorities: housing and homelessness, mental health and addiction, and early literacy.
“Our 100-day sprint has laid the foundation to improve the lives of all Oregonians,” Governor Kotek said. “We have an abundance of people in our state who are willing to try things they have never done before to solve our greatest challenges, all because they believe in Oregon’s potential.”
Governor Kotek praised the work legislators have done so far to support her executive order declaring a homelessness state of emergency, which aims to keep nearly 9,000 people from becoming homeless, move at least 1,200 people into permanent housing, and add at least 600 more shelter beds by the end of this year.
She called the Housing Emergency Response Package a “down payment on an investment that Oregonians are owed,” highlighted the work the state and local leaders are already doing to deliver specific outcomes and said “more must be done going forward.”
Specifically, the Governor is urging the Legislature to approve at least another $1.3 billion before this session is over: $1 billion in bonding to build and preserve more affordable housing, and at least $300 million in general funds to continue work on housing and homelessness.
Oregonians also need a stronger, more accessible behavioral health system. Governor Kotek reiterated her commitment to disrupt the harmful and expensive homelessness-jail-hospital pipeline, decrease preventable deaths related to a person’s substance use or mental health issue, and stabilize and support the behavioral health workforce.
On education, the Governor highlighted the progress on the Early Literacy Success Initiative outlined in House Bill 3198. The bill has bipartisan support to develop students’ reading and writing skills, with funding going to schools, community-based organizations, and Tribes to do this work. While her recommended budget targeted $120 million for this investment, today she said that Oregon’s early literacy rates are “intolerable,” and $120 million is the minimum that the state should invest this session.
Governor Kotek also spotlighted the direct conversations she is having with Oregonians across the state. She is visiting all 36 counties in Oregon during her first year in office as part of her One Oregon Listening Tour. She has visited six counties so far: Yamhill, Douglas, Columbia, Benton, Lincoln, and Polk.
“I’ve met with families in Yoncalla, educators in Vernonia and students in Philomath who are determined to build success in their communities,” she said. “I’ve heard from behavioral health providers in Newport and housing providers in Dallas who are dedicated to helping their most vulnerable neighbors in their time of greatest need.
“I take these stories home with me to Salem, to enrich and refine our shared vision for the Oregon we know is possible.”
You can read her full remarks here. (https://www.oregon.gov/newsroom/pages/NewsDetail.aspx?newsid=87937)
OHA’s virtual monthly COVID-19 media briefing Thursday
PORTLAND, Ore. — Oregon Health Authority hosted a Zoom media briefing – Thursday, April 20 – to provide its monthly COVID-19 update.
Dean Sidelinger, M.D., M.S.Ed., health officer and state epidemiologist at OHA, will give an update on COVID-19 and the state’s response to the pandemic.
ODOT employee injured in work zone crash on U.S. 395 near Stanfield
STANFIELD, OR — An ODOT employee was injured in a work zone Tuesday afternoon when a minivan crashed into the excavator he was unloading. The ODOT worker was transported to Good Sheppard Hospital where he was treated for minor cuts and scrapes and released a short time later. The minivan was towed from the scene.
The crash took place shortly after 1 p.m. on U.S. 395-A at milepost 9.8, north of Stanfield. At the time of the crash, the worker’s trailer truck, loaded with an excavator, was parked on the shoulder. The worker was unloading the excavator, preparing to do sign work, when a minivan traveling south hit the excavator.
Oregon State Police, ODOT and other emergency responders assisted at the crash site.
The crash is a harsh reminder for drivers to slow down, move over, and be extra vigilant around work zones. This week, April 17-21, is National Work Zone Awareness Week.
To keep work zones safer for everyone, drivers must:
Pay attention and focus on the road. Driver inattention is a major factor in work-zone crashes.
Obey speed signs. Speed limits may be reduced to keep you and workers safe by giving drivers more time to react.
Move over. Work zone traffic lanes often are narrow, without shoulders or emergency lanes. Workers need room.
Plan ahead. Give yourself enough time for your trip—including possible work zone delays. Before you start, call 511 or visit TripCheck.com for the latest road conditions and work-zone information across Oregon.
Remember that fines double in all Oregon work zones, whether workers and signs are present or not. Please…when you see a work zone: Move over. Slow down. And keep everyone safe.
Detectives Discover Rural Jacksonville Homicide Suspect’s Vehicle, Suspect Still Not Located
UPDATE: 6:30 p.m. The suspect is still on-the-run. He is considered armed and dangerous, do not approach, instead call 911. JCSO deputies will continue extra patrols and presence in the area.
Earlier today, investigators discovered the suspect’s vehicle near the crime scene next to the Applegate dam. JCSO SWAT and K9 teams responded and searched the vehicle and area, but the suspect was not located. If you have any information on Michael Wayne Ray’s whereabouts call ECSO Dispatch at (541) 776-7206.
Original Release:
Detectives Investigating Rural Jacksonville Homicide, Suspect On-the-Run
JCSO Case 23-2239
APPLEGATE, Ore. – Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) detectives are on-scene of a homicide that occurred early this morning in rural Jacksonville. ECSO dispatch received a call at 2:26 a.m. for a shooting at a residence in the 14000 block of Upper Applegate Road. JCSO deputies responded, discovered the scene was a homicide, and notified Criminal Investigations Division (CID) detectives and Medical Examiners. A primary suspect has been identified and is on-the-run. The victim identification is pending next-of-kin notification.
The suspect, Michael Wayne Ray, 64, of Jacksonville, is described as a white male with blue eyes and grey hair, 5’9” tall, weighing 190 lbs. (pictured here). He is considered armed and dangerous. If you see the suspect, do not approach, instead call 911 immediately.
This case is active and ongoing with detectives following additional leads. Oregon State Police (OSP) and Medford Police Department (MPD) detectives are assisting as part of a Major Assault and Death Investigation Unit (MADIU) call out. There is no further information available for release.
This is a Press Release from last year in July with the same suspect being arrested and lodged for a time in Jackson County Jail.
83-year-old Clarence Edward Pitts walked away from his home in Bandon on Tuesday, January 31 at around 1:00 p.m. Pitts is described as:
- 6′ 00″
- 150 lbs
- Gray hair
- Brown eyes
- Last seen wearing an orange beanie, plaid jacket, tan pants and white shoes
- May have a walking cane
- Has dementia and PTSD
Pitts may be in a vehicle that was also found to be missing from the home:
- 1999 Toyota Van
- White
- Oregon license plate: WYN 788
If you see Clarence or have any information pertaining to where he may be, please call the Coos County Sheriff’s Office Dispatch Center at 541-396-2106 or the Bandon Police Department at 541-347-3189.
